Winter Exercise for Your Pups

First things first...

Happy Birthday Abigail! You can read about her here.

I have a subscription to Dog Fancy and every month I enjoy reading the different articles about dog care, breeds, tips, etc.

I have read many articles on winter exercise for dogs. Some as simple as just letting them run in the back yard for 15 minutes. Some as complicated (to me) as training for sled dog competitions.

Now obviously, not all dogs would be able to do some of the things that I have read about. Take my bassets as an example. We get some deep snow here, and to let them run about in the back yard is a great idea but not always possible as they tend to get stuck in the deep snow and sled dog? Forget it!

But I did read one article a few years back that was interesting about things you can do inside. Like setting up an obstacle course inside the house in the family room, basement, or hallway. Or a game that encourages a dog to use their sense of smell in a game of hide and seek whether with a treat, favorite toy, or favorite person. Or teaching new obedience skills or tricks. Something to keep them busy, interested and active.

For our house, we have done some of the hide and seek, play fetch with a very soft ball, tug, and still get out for walks if the weather permits. Sometimes we play in the back yard if hubby snow blows a maze for them to run through.

I thought it would be interesting to take a poll to see how you all keep your pups fit through the winter. If you would like to participate, please email me and I will post the info on DOT next time. Or if you would like to make this subject the focus of your next post, just send me your link and I will list that. Send to thegardener63ataoldotcom.

Happy DOT,
Tina, HoneyDew and Sampson too!